Jen Cole (she/her)
Jordan Schnitzer Dean
Jennifer Gilligan Cole (Jen) is the Jordan Schnitzer Dean of Pacific Northwest College of Art @ Willamette University (Portland, Oregon). Jen works with students, faculty, staff and community to imagine the role of artists and designers in a thriving cultural ecosystem in Oregon. Prior to her appointment she was Executive Director of Programs & Public Affairs at the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University and founding director of The National Collaborative for Creative Work—a practice lab and applied practice center studying equitable creative work in America. Cole served nearly a decade as Nashville’s chief cultural officer working with the mayor, elected officials, artists, cultural organizations, public agencies and community leaders and activists to explore how arts and cultural participation were central to community prosperity and health. Her efforts in creative placemaking, innovative investments, public policy and cultural justice/equity were national models of practice. She has held board and advisory positions with Americans for the Arts US Urban Arts Federation, Get Creatives Working Coalition, Creative Youth Development Network, ArtPlace America, Creative Capital, Grantmakers in the Arts, Western States Arts Federation and the National Endowment for the Arts. Cole is passionate about arts for all and intersectional work that centers community power and justice and lifts up the role of artists and their labor in the United States. She holds a B.A. with honors, in English from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA
Kate Copeland (she/her)
Senior Associate Dean
Leads strategic thinking, planning and operations related to curriculum, teaching & learning including: curriculum and degree planning, faculty development and assessment, teaching excellence and mentoring and life-long learning programs. Kate also leads strategic work integrating career, international education and community/civic service into curriculum.
Sally Schoolmaster (she/her)
Assistant Dean of Academic Success
Leads internally coordination to ensure that students thrive academically at PNCA. Sally leads advising process, retention strategy, academic integrity and and supports transfer agreements, transfer and first generation student experiences and support systems.
Anna Miltenberger (she/her)
Dean of Admissions
Anna leads external student recruitment, admissions and coordination of institutional transfer student agreements including marketing and communications to prospective students & parents. Ensures innovation, commitment to JEDI and WU mission in all student outreach and new student recruitment function of the college.
Dr. Chris Potts (he/him)
Dean of Students for Community Care & Inclusion
Chris leads the PNCA Student Affairs team and is responsible for the co-curricular education, engagement, and support of PNCA. This includes planning and oversight of initiatives, programs, and care aimed at building inclusive communities that promote academic success, personal growth, and student well-being. Additionally, he leads efforts to ensure the PNCA Student Affairs department fosters a welcoming and inclusive campus environment and aligns with divisional, college, and university diversity,equity, inclusion, and belonging goals.